Please find enclosed copies of the notes and summing-up papers of
Dr. M.P. Collinson (CIMMYT, Nairobi), from the pre-survey conducted in the
Ntcheu RDP during February 1980.

This survey was conducted by Dr. Collinson and staff from the LADD
Evaluation Unit and the AES. The approach followed guidelines (attached)
j- used by 1CI T~1 in neighboring countries to Malawi. These were found to
be applicable to the Ntcheu situation with minor alterations.

Selection of farmers was not always random and on three occasions
questions were posed to groups nf farmers during meetings conducted at
their club or group headquarters. However, it was felt that overall the
comments presented in the two papers reflect the average situation in the
surveyed area and provide a basis for a verification survey.
Interviews, conducted by professional staff, followed the basic guide-
lines, although essentially interviewers were allowed considerable flexi-
bility. Due to their length only certain sections of the guidelines were
addressed to each farmer and eventually all sections of the guidelines were
covered in each of the EPAs sampled. ..At' the end of each day the inter-
viewing teams compared their findings and inconsistencies were noted for
further investigation during the following day.
The first paper outlines the consensus obtained for each of the sections
encompassed by the guidelines. The seaend paper presents b notes and
comments made by Dr. Collinson on the basis of the field work and Paper 1
and which woe discussed at a meeting held at LADD headquarters. It must
be emphasised that any conclusions or suggestions put forward are tentative
and require substantiation in a full verification survey.
*The verification survey is to be conducted in the Ntcheu RDP in August/
0 September 1980. Addressees are asked to send comments on the pre-survey
papers together with those on rcommdd rE ii consideraton the
August survey,by mid April. Your assistance will be appreciated.